DELAYS are expected for drivers as the A417 Missing Link Scheme prepares to move onto the next stage.

National Highways has reminded drivers to plan their journeys ahead of time after announcing a series of overnight closures in October and November.
 
The A417 at Crickley Hill, just after the Air Balloon roundabout, will be closed to all traffic overnight (from 8pm until 6am) for a seven-week period so that widening works can take place.

The first set of overnight closures on Crickley Hill will start on Monday, October 16 and finish Friday, October 20.

Other upcoming closure dates include:
•    Monday 23 October – Friday 27 October
•    Monday 30 October – Thursday 2 November
•    Monday 6 November – Thursday 9 November
•    Monday 13 November – Friday 17 November
•    Monday 20 November – Friday 24 November
•    Monday 27 November - Wednesday 29 November
•    Friday 1 December
 
During the closures, all traffic will be diverted via the A40, A46, A435 and A436.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: The diversion route that will be in operation during the overnight closuresThe diversion route that will be in operation during the overnight closures (Image: National Highways)
 
The road will remain open during the day and access will be maintained for residents and emergency services.
 
As part of this work, National Highways will be relocating some nearby utilities but the organisation has confirmed that this will not affect residents’ supplies. 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Widening works which will take place on Crickley HillWidening works which will take place on Crickley Hill (Image: National Highways)
 
Steve Foxley, National Highways’ project director for the A417 Missing Link, said: “We need these overnight closures to progress important work along at Crickley Hill before the next stage of this vital scheme.
 
“We acknowledge these closures will have an effect on people’s journeys, and we are advising people to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys and we thank people in advance for their patience.
 
“We’ve communicated the forthcoming closures and changes to local communities and businesses and once that work is completed, we will be moving to the next stage which will see us start the build of the new offline section of the A417.”